The best things to do this week

Your weekly forecast of the capital's best events

It's shaping up to be a particularly action-packed week with the Bookworm Literary Festival, Francophone Film Festival as well as International Women's Day all taking place within the next few days. Guide yourself through it all with our picks of the best things to do this week.

MONDAY

The Hunting Ground

The Bookworm. Mon 5. 125RMB

Democrats Abroad and the Beijing Women's Network are teaming up to sponsor a screening of The Hunting Ground, a harrowing exposé about rape crimes on US college campuses, their institutional cover-ups, and the devastating toll they take on students and their families. The event will begin at 7pm with a series of short readings, followed by a screening of the film and guided discussion afterwards.

TUESDAY

Three Billboards outside Ebbing, Missouri

On general release until Mar 30

It’s been nearly a year since Mildred Hayes (Frances McDormand, absolutely fierce) lost her teenage daughter to an unknown assailant still at large. When she pays for a series of disused billboards outside her town to carry huge posters questioning why no one has been arrested, trouble ensues. 

To purchase tickets, scan the QR code below. 

WEDNESDAY

From Mozart to Broadway: Danielle de Niese and Lucerne Festival Strings

NCPA. Wed 7. 100-500RMB

Danielle de Niese has been hailed as 'opera's coolest soprano' by The New York Times and 'not just a superb performer, but a phenomenal one' by Opera News. A versatile artist, de Niese has gained wide recognition for her superb stagecraft, assured singing and her ability to communicate on every level. Join her as she performs a programme of classic operettas and popular Broadway tunes alongside distinguished Swiss chamber orchestra, the Lucerne Festival Strings, this Wednesday at the NCPA.

To purchase tickets, scan the QR code below.

THURSDAY

Women of the World

The Bookworm. Thu 8. 80RMB

In recent months #metoo has made headlines around the world, with other issues such as pay inequality and fair gender representation in political and corporate spheres rising to the fore and sparking wide debate. 

As the 2018 Bookworm Literary Festival celebrates International Women’s Day, Joanna Chiu (Correspondent for Agence France-Presse) will lead a discussion bringing together Zhang Yajun (presenter for Radii’s WoMen podcast), and Dan Bao (an academic and writer who focusses on gender issues). They will discuss what it means to be a woman in 2018, what lessons to take from the past year, and how to now move forward gender debates in China and across the world.

This event will be consecutively translated in English and Chinese. To purchase tickets, scan the QR code below.

Jaap van Zweden and the New York Philharmonic

NCPA. Thu 8-Fri 9. 280-1,280RMB

Acclaimed Dutch conductor Jaap van Zweden leads the New York Philharmonic and guest musicians Ryu Goto and Yuja Wang in a programme of Mendelssohn's Violin Concerto in E minor, Op. 64, Mahler's Symphony No. 5 in C-sharp minor, Brahms' Piano Concerto No. 1 in D minor, Op. 15 and Stravinsky's The Rite of Spring.

To purchase tickets, scan the QR code below.

Francophone Film Festival 2018

Various locations. Mar 8-31. Prices tbc

The Francophone Film Festival has always been particularly adept at showcasing the diversity of the French-speaking world, with last year’s selection running the gamut from the Middle East and Africa to Vietnam. This year's festival is no different, and features a curated selection of 16 feature-length and short French language films from francophone states around the world. 

Centred around a different theme each year, this year's festival is a celebration of women, with the festival fittingly commencing on International Women's Day.

To see a full listing of screening times and locations, scan the QR code below.

FRIDAY

Black Panther

In cinemas around Beijing on Fri 9

For all their global dominance, everybody wants these superhero movies to be better: funnier, smarter, more inclusive, more super. A huge step in the right direction, Black Panther is that dream come true. Proudly African – even if its Africa comes in the form of the fictional country of Wakanda, a powerhouse of secret technologies – Marvel’s latest is, from top to bottom, a conscious reversal of racial paradigms. Handsomely mounted by Creed director Ryan Coogler and starring an enviable slate of black actors that makes cameoing comics godhead Stan Lee almost seem lost, the film is provocative and satisfying in ways that are long overdue, like its ornate, culturally dense production design and the deeper subtexts of honour, compassion and destiny.

To purchase tickets, scan the QR code below.

SATURDAY

Armin van Buuren

One Third. Mar 10. 380RMB; 280RMB (early-bird tickets)

Easily one of the biggest names in dance music, Dutch trance legend Armin van Buuren's been ranked number one on DJ Mag's Top 100 DJs list a record five times, and is also one of few DJs to be nominated for a Grammy Award (for his single 'This Is What It Feels Like'). He touches down in Beijing this Saturday for an exclusive performance at One Third. Support by Ring.

To purchase tickets, scan the QR code below.

Jing A Spring Fever Ski Break

Wanlong Ski Resort Chongli. Sat 10-Sun 11. 1,700RMB

Catch the last snow of the season over a boozy weekender on the Chongli slopes. Price includes transport, entrance, gear rental, accommodation food and free-flow Jing A beer from start to finish. 

To sign up, scan the QR code below.

SUNDAY

Kyle Grooms

The Bookworm. Sun 11. 180RMB; 150RMB (presale); 100RMB (students)

With a CV that boasts performances alongside the legendary Chris Rock and Dave Chappelle, American stand-up Kyle Grooms' return to Beijing should guarantee quite a few belly laughs. 

To purchase tickets, scan the QR code below.

For the best things to do in Beijing this March, hit 'Read more'.

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